Have you heard of acid reflux? If so, you probably know that acids produced in your stomach can be pushed into your esophagus and lead to heartburn. Unfortunately, acids in your esophagus can also get into your smile. As you may guess, this can lead to quite a few problems.
Sadly, the acids from your stomach can travel into your mouth from your esophagus. While this may seem like a relatively small problem, it can actually make your teeth more vulnerable to decay—including cavities. Similarly, if you are dealing with acid reflux (which is also known as Gastroesophageal reflux disease), you may be more susceptible to plaque buildup and to dry mouth.
Unfortunately, if acid wears your enamel away, you may experience tooth sensitivity. This sensitivity often begins as slight pain, but if the issue isn’t addressed, the pain could become extreme and affect all your teeth. Also, because bacteria will be more likely to grow in a dry mouth, you’ll be more vulnerable to gum disease. If your gums recede—which happens with gum disease—your roots will become vulnerable to the bacteria in your mouth. In fact, if this issue isn’t addressed, you could eventually lose teeth.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to protect your smile. For instance, we recommend not smoking or wearing tight clothes. Similarly, if you nap try, sleeping in a chair. You should also avoid eating for at least two hours before you sleep. Of course, we also recommend visiting us at [practice_name]. Dr. Garner and Dr. Long-Pappa will be happy to give you advice that meets your needs.
If you are interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [phone]. We look forward to hearing from you.